[Three Kingdoms] Burning incense and sacrificial wine

Xu You was punished for treason.When the news came, Xun Yu was discussing public affairs with Cui Song.

When asked to understand the cause and effect, Xun Yu remained silent for a long time.

On that day, Cui Song was vaguely aware of the undercurrent when he learned that Xun Yu was suddenly called into the palace by the Holy Majesty.He immediately took a jug of wine and waited at Xun Yu's house.

After Xun Yu returned, although his complexion was the same as usual, based on Cui Song's understanding of Xun Yu, he could sense Xun Yu's serious thoughts hidden under the calm appearance.

Regardless of whether Cao Cao's "initial aspirations have changed" and his ambition to help the Han family has been shaken with the gradual success of his hegemony; There is already a clearly visible rift between Xun Yu and Xun Yu.

If the two maintain the status quo and don't touch the rift, they may be able to maintain the superficial peace and tranquility and continue the friendship between the master and minister.

On the contrary, once someone taps the top lightly with a hammer, the fine lines will continue to spread until they are torn apart.

And the person holding the hammer and beating along the cracks was Han Emperor Liu Xie.

For Liu Xie, the last emperor, Cui Song was curious and sympathetic, but he never had the heart to die.

He received modern education since he was a child, and he knew civil rights but not imperial power. Even if he traveled to feudal dynasties and "do as the Romans do", deep down in his consciousness, he could not feel any awe of the title emperor.

Xun Yu is different.

Years of getting along with each other not only allowed Cui Song to deeply understand Xun Yu, a close friend, but also solved the doubts when reading history books in the past——

Xun Yu was kind, loyal, and behaved like a gentleman. Zhongzheng selflessly recommended various talents for Cao Cao.

Xun Yu, who was able to say the words "upholding loyalty and sincerity, keeping the reality of retreat [1]" alone at the moment when everyone catered to Cao Cao's publicity, practiced the words of a gentleman without changing his will, and he did not die. .

However, Cui Song knew that Xun Yu was not a pedantic person.

Being able to put forward the claim of "following the emperor to order but not ministers" is enough to prove that his heart is clearer than anyone else.

Dynasties change, the five virtues come to an end, flourish and decline.This is a general trend that has never changed since ancient times, and it is impossible for Xun Yu, who is familiar with the "Shang" book, to be unaware of it.

What he is loyal to is not the old dynasty that is fading away, decayed and unable to return to heaven, but his own ideals, the righteousness that he sticks to, and the heart that is not shaken by foreign things.

He once thought that Cao Cao was his fellow man, following him without asking for anything in return, and defending him desperately.

But he finally found that Cao Cao was inconsistent with the morality he insisted on.

...Or maybe, they were in agreement, but Cao Cao finally changed his original belief.

Those who walk a hundred steps stop at ninety.Xun Yu thought he had found the ideal way, but after exhausting his way, he found that everything was just his fantasy.

His ideal could no longer be realized.

This is the truth of Xun Yu's final death in sorrow.

Liu Xie is young but intelligent and good at debating people.He saw Xun Yu's perseverance, and saw that he and Cao Cao seemed to be in harmony with each other, but in fact they were incompatible with each other. He made a decisive move to tear the curtain between the two, forcing Xun Yu to make a choice.

If there is no accident, the final development will probably be the same as the historical records. Cao Cao wants to be called the king, but breaks with Xun Yu, and Xun Yu loses all his beliefs and dies.

But Cui Song didn't want Xun Yu to die.

There are not so many reasons for "regret" and "justice", just because Xun Yu is his best friend.

"Wen Ruo, you have followed Sikong for many years, so you should know him better than others."

Xun Yu actually knew everything, and understood the problem better than anyone else.His heart knot does not lie in either side of Cao Cao and Liu Xie, but in his own ambition.

Others have no way to persuade them, let alone point fingers.

But even so, as a friend, he still wanted to say a few more words.

"Different routes lead to the same goal, is it feasible?"

Xun Yu was startled slightly.

He has always known that Cui Song is particularly sensitive in certain aspects, seeing that Cui Song has seen through his worries, he smiled slightly and hid his concern in his heart.

"There is no return, so what can I do?"

What should I do if I can't reach the ideal place no matter how I go?

Cui Song solemnly said: "When I was traveling, I met a righteous man named Shuren Zhou. , there is a way out'."

Xun Yu was moved, and sat upright, "Good."

Cui Song, who traveled through ancient times and did not forget to ask his friends to learn Lu Xun's quotations, silently gave Lu Xun a big thumbs up in his heart, and continued to promote the wise and powerful thoughts of "Lu Xun layman".

But his original intention was to comfort his best friend, and he borrowed it as a last resort.In order to prevent these sentences from leaking out and encroaching on Lu Xun's great rights and interests a thousand years later, he specifically asked Xun Yu not to tell anyone what he just said, and not to publicize the deeds of "Lu Xun layman".

Xun Yu was a man of integrity, upon hearing the words, he agreed to Cui Song's request without hesitation, without asking why.

Since this day, Cui Song and Xun Yu have not talked about this matter again.

A few months passed in the blink of an eye. Cao Cao was in Jizhou, but he never forgot to miss Cui Song and Xun Yu in Xudu. He sent several private letters to inquire about public and private matters, and even married his daughter to Xun Yu's son Xun Yun. .

Both Cui Song and Xun Yu knew the intention of Cao Cao's move.

Xun Yu accepted it calmly, and handed a revised letter to Cao Cao, and the stalemate between the two was eased.

Not long after, Cao Cao saw that the water conservancy project in Xudu had been basically completed, and urgently summoned Cui Song to Jizhou.

As soon as he arrived in Jizhou, Cui Song received news from several close friends: his nephew Cui Yan was assigned by Cao Cao to work as an assistant.

When Cui Songshang was studying hard in closed doors, he had written letters to his nephew many times, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, trying to poach people.

However, the nephew is upright and upright... He stubbornly thinks Yuan Shao is better and refuses.

No matter how embarrassing Cui Song was, he could not forcibly change his nephew's personal wishes, so he had to go with him.

He vaguely sensed that Cui Yan should be somewhat dissatisfied with Cao Cao.

It's not necessarily a contempt for Cao Cao's background, but there is something about Cao Cao that the stubborn elder nephew doesn't like very much.

Hearing that Cui Yan had been called by Cao Cao to inquire about his household registration, Cui Song thought it was a bad idea and hurried to the government office.

As soon as he entered the door, he heard Cao Cao laughing at Cui Yan:

"I heard that there are 30 household registrations here, and (Jizhou) is really a big state."

When Cui Song heard this, his eyebrows jumped wildly.

The big boss is probably used to joking with his staff, but he actually said such teasing words to the newly recruited Bie Jia.

If you want to change anyone who is not slippery, quick-witted and able to speak, then you should take advantage of the situation and make a good relationship with the new boss with a smile... But the eldest nephew is not such a character.

Seeing that Cui Yan raised his eyebrows and was about to utter reprimands with that face that looked like the dean, Cui Song quickly walked over in a few strides.

"Now the world is falling apart—"

Cui Yan only said a few words, and saw his uncle walking over with a smile on his face.

The sun shone on the profile of the young uncle, like pearls and jade, but it inexplicably gave him a chill down his back.

The word "beng" that was just spoken gradually decreased until it was difficult to distinguish.

Cui Yan couldn't continue.

The people around saluted Cui Song: "Cui Hou."

Since the pacification of Jizhou, Cao Cao has generously promoted the ranks of the advisers who have made great achievements around him, including Shuang Xun, Guo Jia, Cui Song and Huan Chengyu.

Cui Song returned a half salute, and bowed to Cao Cao again:

"Sikong."

When Cao Cao saw Cui Song, he was overjoyed, and suddenly thought of something: "Gu vaguely remembers that Cui Zong (Cui Yan) is Zi Cong's clan?"

Cui Yan immediately said: "Yan is the nephew of Marquis Cui."

Cao Cao: ...

He glanced at Cui Song, who had passed by, but was still young and handsome, who could make many girls blush and shy; Yan couldn't help falling into silence.

Under Cao Cao's silent gaze, Cui Yan slowly moved to Cui Song's feet like a newlywed, and said honestly, "Uncle."

This scene made Cao Cao shudder.

A certain shadow brought about by Cui Yan's too majestic and seriousness before has become another shadow.

What should have happened, the incident of Cui Yan's righteous words against Cao Cao was disturbed by Cui Song.

After finishing their duties with Cao Cao, Cui Song's nephew and uncle were kindly given a holiday by the big boss Cao Cao, so that they could catch up on the old days.

The relationship between Cui Song and Cui Yan is acceptable.The two haven't seen each other for many years, but they have kept in touch by letter.As he grew older, Cui Yan's respect for Cui Song did not decrease at all, but increased.

Cui Song didn't know if it was his illusion, but he felt that... Cui Yan seemed to be afraid of him.

Although his nephew was sitting solemnly, his face was still that of Duke Bao, but Cui Song felt this way.

It's better to verify it.

Cui Song asked his entourage to bring wine, and he held the jug himself, intending to pour wine for Cui Yan.

"Long time no see, please have a drink with me."

Cui Yan trembled unrecognizably, pressed his hand, and said with a righteous face, "Uncle, Yan is a junior, and you should pour wine for you."

Cui Song was more upright than him: "You are old, why should I pour it out for you? Besides, you and I are relatives, uncles and nephews, why should we pay so much attention to it?"

Quickly poured a glass for Cui Yan, and was about to toast him.

Cui Yan suddenly jumped up.

Cui Song: ...

Cui Yan said: "Whether Yan's words and deeds...are inappropriate, made my uncle annoyed me, Yan hereby apologizes to my uncle, please tell my uncle frankly."

Cui Song listened to the thick and admonishing tone of the dean, unexpectedly mixed with an imperceptible vibrato, and began to doubt his life for a long time.

He seems to have done nothing, why is the nephew so emotional?

Cui Song looked at his nephew, who was taller than him and had a formidable expression, inexplicably had a strange illusion that his nephew was actually a little white rabbit, and he was the ferocious beast.

Afterwards, he asked Guo Jia: "However, I have become so hideous recently that even my nephew is afraid of me when he sees me?"

"No."

Guo Jia answered without thinking, then stared at him for a long time, then smiled,

"It's more handsome."

The author has something to say: [1] The 10 characters come from the official history "Three Kingdoms".